years of transforming lives
20 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING LIVES
2021 was a memorable year with many highlights but certainly not without its challenges. We celebrated our 20-year anniversary during the throes of a global pandemic. With new variants of the coronavirus came continued disruptions to our educational programmes and further uncertainty about what the ‘new normal’ would look like as a society living with the pandemic. COVID-19 infections continued to plague the country and the world, but armed with experience from 2020, we felt confident in the innovative practices we put in place to rise to the challenge once again.
One of our biggest education programmes for the year was our learning loss programme. Given the many disruptions to the academic calendar because of COVID-19, the goal was to make progress against the learning loss that took place. We therefore employed 28 additional tutors to assist our students with remedial teaching until the end of 2021. Our Matric students also used our new Matric Study Intensive area to study for their final exams. Read more about this on page 13. All of the hard work and dedication during the year paid off as our matric Class of 2021 celebrated a 95% matric pass rate.
During all of this, we knew that we still had to celebrate how far our school has come since
we were established in 2001. As part of our 20year anniversary celebrations, we reflected on some of our special memories. Watch the 20-year commemorative video here: https://bit.ly/3ytOq5Z Christel House SA’s doors were first opened in 2002 at Bamford Avenue in Athlone. A few years later, the number of students grew as we continued to expand our grades, and Christel House SA was eventually split into two campuses. Half of the students attended school at Bamford Avenue while the other half were at a new campus in Denver Road, Lansdowne. In 2009, Christel House moved to Ottery where our school is still currently located. Today, our beneficiaries include 800+ students from grade RR to 12, 220+ post-matric students and more than 13 000 parents and other members of the communities we serve.
“When we started, our teachers went from door to door to recruit children for Christel House. Our prospective parents at the time thought it was impossible. They didn’t believe that you could find a school that was going to give this fantastic education at no cost,” says Carol Kriel, Junior School Principal at Christel House SA who has been with the school since its inception.
CEO’S YEAR IN REVIEW
Fortified by the steepest learning curve in history last year, 2021 was a good year. We have many things to celebrate and whilst we had to overcome as many obstacles, the year had a cadence to it that seemed more recognisable. We were better at planning within an uncertain space, empathetic to those who continue to struggle, and motivated to achieve our best with the cards we were dealt.
Ironically the school year closed in a manner strikingly similar to how it opened – in the middle of a wave, with a number, and a variant – Delta then, Omicron now, 2nd then, 4th now. But it is the predictability of the uncertainty that seemed like our ‘get out of jail free’ card and we are proud of our teachers, our learners and our support staff for once again rising to the challenge and enabling every child to be the very best version of themselves.
High dosage tutoring programmes were implemented early in the year and we are projecting to close the gap by mid-2022. End-toend support also saw the introduction of three new Grade RR classes and the building of our ‘pop-updorms’ to house our Grade 12s during study and exam times. We were delighted to announce a 95% matric pass rate and a 78% Bachelor’s pass for our class of 2021.
As the year ended, we said goodbye to three staff members who retired after a collective 52 years of working at Christel House! We are deeply grateful to Avril Hermanus, Marilyn Groep and Vivienne Stewart and wish them the very best as they start the golden era of their lives.
Arguably the highlight of 2021 was the initiation of our ‘10X’ work. Given our 20 years of experience, we want to widen our impact through capitalising on efficiencies in the system. We are looking forward to expanding on initiatives in 2022 to serve more, impact more and drive more social change.
Adri Marais Chief Executive Officer
Christel House SA
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR
Can you remember 2001? Where were you? What made it a special year?
I can’t remember much about 2001. It feels like quite an unremarkable and anonymous year for me.
Or was it? You see, for Christel House SA, 2001 marks the beginning of our story – the year our school was founded. The first step on the journey that has seen almost 500 students matriculate. Christel House SA served 241 students in the first year we opened and today, we serve more than 1 000 students. Students that have come and gone. Each contributing something unique and leaving with their own stories and memories of our remarkable school.
Many teachers and support staff have worked tirelessly at the school over the past two decades. Selfless, focused and determined team workers, each of which has left an indelible mark on the school and its many learners over the years.
But numbers alone simply conceal the true impact that Christel House has made on the local communities and the lives of so many families in and around our Ottery catchment area.
It’s the war stories, the smiles, the still re-told anecdotes of school days gone by, jobs enabled, and homes transformed that really illustrate the specialness of Christel House. That’s what keeps us coming back for more. It is what keeps us focused on supporting this magnificent institution, its staff and its pupils.
So it falls to me, as the fifth Chair of the school since 2001, to thank each and every donor, benefactor, staff member and supporter that the school has enjoyed since our foundation. Without your support, love and energy we would not be celebrating 20 successful years and looking forward to our third decade of transforming lives by breaking the cycle of poverty through the opportunity that an education brings.
Ian Russell Chair Christel House SA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADRI MARAIS
Chief Executive Officer: Christel House SA
Experience: Business Development, Tertiary Education and Social Transformation
SHEREEN LA FLEUR
Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Company Secretary: Christel House SA
Experience: Chartered Accountant (CA(SA))
WAYNE HULL
Marketing Committee and 10X (Widening Impact) Committee Chairs
Experience: Digital, Technology and Marketing, Private Equity Operating Director, USA
DR. SANE MOLEKO
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee
Experience: Human Resources Head; Experience in Organisational Development, Talent Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Advisory and Consulting
IAN RUSSELL
Chair: Christel House SA
Experience: Author, Speaker, Advisor.
Experience in Business, Finance, Corporate Governance, Marketing, Communication and Technology
CHRIS BUCHANAN
Marketing Committee
Experience: Director at Dell; Experience in Sales, Marketing, Emerging Markets
BABA MOGASE
Marketing Committee
Experience: Business and Marketing specialist
LAILA NAIDOO
Marketing Committee, Human Resources and Remuneration Committee
Experience: Executive Director; Experience in Strategy Development, Business Management, Sales and Marketing, Business Finance
BART PETERSON
President and Chief
Executive Officer: Christel House International
Experience: Former Senior VP, Eli Lilly and Company; Former Mayor of Indianapolis
DR. CLAUDIA MANNING
Education Committee
Experience: Director of Companies; Experience in Education and Private Investment
PROF. LINDA RONNIE
Education Committee
Experience: Professor at the School of Management Studies, Faculty of Commerce at UCT; Education and Transformative Education specialist
LIONEL SIGAUKE
Audit and Risk Committee
Experience: Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)); Experience in Finance and Auditing
* Thank you to our exited board members, Brian Stocks and Anthony Holme for their support and contributions during 2021.
CHRISTEL HOUSE MODEL
CAREER PROGRAMME (age 17+)
SECONDARY EDUCATION (age 13 − 17)
CAREER GUIDANCE
Higher education support
Bursary applications
Interview training
Stipends
Alumni coaching and mentoring
Vocational training
Learnerships
Job placements
Leadership programmes
Critical thinking
Articulating thoughts
Portfolio of achievement
Sex and gender education
Individualised career development
Evidenced citizenship
PRIMARY EDUCATION (age 6 − 13)
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (age 4 − 6)
Early leadership development
Independent project work
Intrinsic motivation
Abstract thinking
ICT proficiency
Career exposure
Service learning: giving back
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
The Christel House values are: respect, responsibility, independence & integrity
Character & Habits of Work (CHOW)
English immersion
Creative play
Perceptual development
Numeracy development
Gross & fine motor
skills development
Careers introduction
2021 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
2021 national statistics in South Africa: a matric pass rate of 76,4% and a Bachelor’s pass of 36,4%. In comparison, Christel House SA once again achieved remarkable results.
Grade 12 pass rate
Overall Grade 12 pass rate since inception
Grade 12
Bachelor’s pass rate
Grade 12
Academic subject distinctions
Grade 12 distinctions over 90%
Alumni not in employment, education or training (NEET)
Student attendance rate
Grade RR-12 year-to-year retention rate
OUR TOP PERFORMING STUDENT
RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
Asekho N from Langa is our top-performing matriculant and the Valedictorian for the class of 2021. She achieved six distinctions and will be studying towards a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree at Stellenbosch University. Asekho has faced numerous challenges, including the passing of her mother in 2019 and grandmother in 2021. She currently lives with her elderly father and even though she is responsible for cooking and cleaning at home, she still found the time to study.
“I faced many challenges in my matric year, including not being able to study at home because electricity was an issue. The onsite accommodation and support provided by Christel House SA really helped me. I also got so much support from the social workers and teachers at Christel House SA and am really thankful.”
– Asekho N, Christel House SA 2021 Valedictorian
MAKING HISTORY IN 2021
This year was filled with exciting projects and campaigns that aimed to improve the lives of our students, widen our impact, show appreciation to our donors and showcase just how talented our students are. These are some of the highlights of 2021.
Watch the video of our MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders partnership here: https://bit. ly/3zOS4It
WELCOMING OUR TINIEST CHRISTEL HOUSERS
On 2 August 2021, we officially welcomed our very first Grade RR students. Our youngest Christel Housers to date, included 60 bright-eyed 4–5-year-olds split across three brand new classes. Construction of the classrooms was made possible by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet and Builders, with the Harry Crossley Foundation and various individuals providing funding for school uniforms, educational materials and our new Grade RR teachers.
A MULTIPURPOSE HALL THAT CAN DO IT ALL
After months of construction, our new multipurpose hall is complete. Our Matric Study Intensive space includes pop-up dorms to house our Grade 12 students and provide them with a safe and conducive learning environment during exam periods. Through clever design practice, the area also transitions into a tutor hub for students.
Watch the video of the Derby Day here: https://bit. ly/3nktrOH
CREATING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS AMONGST OUR YOUTH
Our Simunye (We are one) project is a partnership between five schools in Cape Town with the aim of promoting nation building and nurturing long-term relationships between South African youth from various ends of the wealth spectrum. The participating schools include Christel House SA, Die Duine Primary, Rondebosch Boys Prep, Mzamomtsha Primary and St Cyprians Girls School.
The second instalment of the project’s annual Derby Day event took place in October and included 300 Grade 6 and 7 students across the five schools. The programme involved a cable car ride up to Table Mountain and various activities that were designed to find a common ground between the students. Students also took part in a beach clean-up event in December to cultivate collective action to care for the environment and to create shared experiences amongst themselves.
The Simunye project forms part of a global partnership called the Wealth Inequality Initiative (WII) by the Julius Baer Foundation, with various projects implemented around the world to reduce wealth inequality.
VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION TELLS A MOVING STORY
Our school partnered with Iziko Museums for a virtual art exhibition to showcase the unique talents, culture, lived experiences and heritage of our students living on the Cape Flats. The video exhibition, entitled ‘Through our eyes: A virtual glimpse into the lives of the youth of Christel House SA’, went live during national Heritage Week and included 45 artworks and three musical items by our students.
Watch the art exhibition video here: https://bit. ly/3yG1t4A
THREE NATIONAL FENCING CHAMPIONS
A big congratulations to Azile M, Taryn M, and Ashlyn N for achieving national colours in fencing. Christel House SA has a long history of producing national fencers and we are very proud to have our students represent the country in 2022.
HOSTING A SPECIAL TOUR FOR OUR FRIENDS
Our school invited our donors, partners and friends for student-led Special Tours of our campus to showcase various aspects of our innovative, character-based and career-focused programme. Guests were overjoyed to experience some of the Christel House magic first-hand, including our coding, robotics, online educational tools, droning, fencing, art and career and parent support programmes. Guests were also entertained by various musical performances throughout the campus tour.
GIVING BUCKETS OF HOPE TO FAMILIES IN NEED
We called on the public to help us raise funds for our annual Buckets of Hope fundraising drive to provide food to our families during the December school holidays. The cost for each bucket was R200 and it included non-perishable food supplies.
We were astounded by the outpouring of generosity that the campaign received. With the help of many generous donors, we overshot our initial target by raising an incredible R140 000. This allowed us to provide each of our 650 families with a Bucket of Hope, including an extra bucket to families with more than one student at our school.
WORKING TOGETHER WITH OUR PARENTS
Our Social Services department revamped our parent programme, which is now called Sebenza Sonke (working together) and includes an updated volunteer point system. We held various workshops for parents and two parent appreciation events – at the Peninsula All-suite Hotel in Seapoint and a trip on the Red Bus, which afforded them the opportunity to learn more about Cape Town and its history.
WIDENING OUR IMPACT
Our new 10X initiative represents a strategic intent to exponentially widen our organisational impact. To achieve this goal, we are partnering with key schools and organisations through various innovative projects and events that will benefit and uplift members of our local communities. Some of these projects have already taken place in 2021 – we hosted our Simunye project’s annual Derby Day, we paid it forward to two local schools by donating PCs that we received, and we hosted five skills training workshops (a CV writing workshop and a basic computer skills workshops) for residents of Freedom Park, our neighbouring community.
We look forward to continuing our work to widen our impact in 2022.
“Our model works and we are ready to widen our impact through reaching more people, consistently sharing all the lessons we’ve learnt and enabling more people to become active economic citizens of South Africa.”
– Adri Marais Chief Executive Officer at Christel House SA
OUR GRADUATES
NADINE CARYN KHOTOO
Class of 2009
Educator
Nadine was the Head Girl at Christel House SA in 2009. She endured many challenges as a child but with the help of Christel House SA and her parents, she has excelled. She studied Early Childhood Development at the University of the Western Cape and is currently working as a Grade 4 Educator.
Nadine says that she was inspired by the awesome teachers at Christel House SA. She says ,“The teachers were way more than just teachers. They treated me like one of their kids. They went above and beyond and I’m forever grateful.” She adds that the Career Development programme also helped tremendously by assisting her with applying to university, providing a stipend and checking in on her regularly to provide support and guidance.
According to Statistics SA (2021), approximately 66,5% of our youth are unemployed and 3,4 million of our 10 million youth are not in employment or studying. Of those who have a degree, 12,5% are unemployed – proving that the chance of employment significantly increases with a degree.
NATHAN
DANIELS
Class of 2015
Medical student at Stellenbosch University
Nathan started at Christel House SA in Grade 1 and matriculated in 2015. He is currently a final year medical student at Stellenbosch University. Nathan says that the circumstances he faced, including poverty, crime and violence in his neighbourhood, posed so many risks to him and his family. He is grateful for the opportunity Christel House SA afforded him so that he could pursue his dreams.
“My experience at Christel House has literally been life changing. In hindsight, I can say that I would not be at this point without the help of the school. Receiving a dedicated education from world class educators and having the opportunity to follow my dreams has been a major highlight for me. I would like to thank past and current staff, board members and donors for helping me get to this point.”
ANGELIQUE BLAAUWCHIROPA
Class of 2009
Senior Accounting Clerk at the Department of Human Settlements
Angelique grew up in Hanover Park, a high-crime area on the Cape Flats. Her father passed away when she was just 12 years old and she grew up in a single-headed house where her mom worked longer hours to support the family. Angelique says she has many fond memories of her time at Christel House SA, but the two she really cherishes was being selected to attend a Culver Summer Camp in America and her Grade 12 year. She says, “During final matric examinations, teachers accommodated us in their own homes to provide us with a conducive study environment. It really shows the teachers’ commitment to help us succeed and their unselfish hearts. ” Angelique completed a Bookkeeping course and currently works as a Senior Accounting Clerk in the public sector.
MUJAAHID GEORGE
Class of 2016
Community Service Dentist at the Northern Cape Department of Health
Mujaahid was born and raised in Hanover Park and joined Christel House SA in Grade 2. He was fortunate to have been in an environment which promoted healthy competition, both at home and at Christel House SA. He says that everything Christel House provided him with allowed him to improve his life, from things like having access to medical support to the networking opportunities he received. He recently completed his studies at UWC and is now a qualified Dentist. He says, “Christel House SA provided me with the appropriate support to fulfil its purpose of breaking the cycle of poverty. I’ve truly been fortunate to be a part of this organisation and I shall be eternally grateful.”
OUR HEROES
These are some of the Christel House SA heroes who recently retired. Each of these staff members worked at our school for several years and we honour them and thank them for helping us to transform lives.
MS MARILYN GROEP
Ms Marilyn started working at Christel House SA at the end of the year 2000 and left at the end of 2021 as our Maths Learning Support Educator. Bowing out as one of the first staff members at our school and the current longest serving member of staff, Ms Marilyn says she is grateful for the opportunity to serve an organisation with a worthy mission. She reflects on some of the earlier days when Christel House SA just opened. “The official opening of our school was an absolute highlight. In the early days, there was so much gratitude, excitement, and expectation. Children would whip out their reading books and sit and read on their bus journey home.” She says that Christel House will always be a part of her life and that she is leaving as a more fulfilled person than when she first started, 20 years ago.
MS VIVIENNE STEWART
Ms Vivienne joined Christel House SA as our High School Art teacher in 2004. She was instrumental in starting and developing the Christel House Art Department to where it is today. “There was no Art Department when I first joined Christel House SA so we had to build it from the ground up. My fondest memories are teaching students who had limited abilities and lacked confidence in their potential in the subject, nurturing and guiding them to the point where they achieved great and incredible success.” She wanted to leave our students with some words of wisdom and added, “Embrace your learning. Be willing to give 100% to ALL your subjects because you may never know what hidden talents you have in you that can only surface if you make the effort.”
NURSE AVRIL HERMANUS
Sister Avril, as she is affectionately known by our students, joined our school in 2005. She says that many beautiful memories were made over the years. One of the memories that really stands out for her was being in Christel DeHaan’s presence when she visited our school. When asked what the most rewarding part of her job was, she says, “making sick students feel better and observing a child’s physical growth, from Grade RR to Grade 12. When they finally reach tertiary education and achieve their ultimate goals, it is so gratifying.”
Sister Avril wanted to leave our students with some advice and said, “keep your heads held high, persevere through all your challenges, apply Christel House values wherever you find yourself. Life is a journey, enjoy the ride.”
FINANCIALS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Surplus for the Year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of Property, Plant & Equipment
Impairment of Tangible Assets
Investment Income
Loss on Disposal of Property, Plant & Equipemnt
Deferred Revenue
Operating Cash Flow Before Working
Capital Changes
Working Capital Changes:
(Increase)/Decrease in Inventories
Decrease/(Increase) in Trade & Other Receivables
Increase/(Decrease) in Trade & Other Payables
by Operating Activites
Flows from Investing Activities
Plant & Equipment Acquired
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Assets Acquired Surplus
COST PER STUDENT
Tuition
R40 558
Key aspects of our holistic model include daily transport to school and back, professional healthcare, nutritious meals, psychosocial counseling, family assistance, and career planning and support. In 2021, the cost to sponsor one student was R67 500. In 2022, it will cost R69 775 to sponsor a student.
Healthcare & social services
R3 881
Career guidance & graduate support
R1 532
Outreach & service learning R398
Sports & extramural activities
R912
Learning material, uniforms & support services
R4 029
Nutrition – 2 meals & a snack per day
R5 295
Transport –two trips per day & extra-mural activities
R7 835
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
A & A Shuttle Services
Actuarial Society of South Africa
Adri Marais
Africa Infrastructure Investment Managers
Afrihost
Amabutho Investment Managers
Amdec Group
Andrew Krause
Angie Strobel
Ann Kreitzer Will Trust
Anonymous donors
Anonymous Foundation
Aongus Hegarty
Avril Koppel
Barbara Blakemore
Bernadette Thomlinson
BlackRock
Blue Label Telecommunications
Brian Stocks
Buccaneer
Builders
Cape Grace Hotel
Capitec Bank
CHEP
Choupette Foundation
We would like to thank each individual and organisation who generously supported us in 2021. Together, we are building selfsufficient, contributing members of society and transforming lives.
Christel House Europe
Christel House International
Christel House SA Staff Payroll Giving
Christopher Holder
Claudia Manning
Club Leisure
Club Mykonos
Coronation Fund Managers
Cow Hills Retail
CTV
Dell Technologies
Dina-Marie Birkenstock
Donaldson Filtration Systems
Dream Hotels and Resorts
Ebrahiem Hendricks
EFI
EG Woods Trust
Elspeth Donovan
Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa
Etcetra Supplies
Euromonitor
Ezinzile Trust
FD Logistics Services
Flickswitch
Focus
FoodForward SA
Germano Cardoso
Green Shoots
Growthpoint Properties
Haggie Memorial Trust
Harry Crossley Foundation
HCI Foundation
Heather & Roger Edge
Helen Blakemore
Hendrik Odendaal
Ian Russell
Industroclean
Intercoiffure
Investec Private Bank
Isidore, Theresa & Ronald Cohen Charitable Trust
Julius Baer Foundation
Kevro
KFC Add Hope
Klaus and Monique Lucke
Laser Logistics
Linda Ronnie
MAD Leadership Foundation
Mapula Trust
Mark Sham
Martin Flaig
Metrofile
Microsoft South Africa
Moti Group
MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet
Naked Insurance
Nedbank
Nick & Sandie Green
Noakes Family Charitable Trust
Paper Video
Peninsula All-Suite Hotel
Peninsula Schools Feeding Association
Peter & Pirjo Carr
Peter Edmondson
Philanthropy Initiative with Employees of Allan Gray
Pick n Pay
Prime Candidate U
Rachel Du Toit Trust
Rain
Randall Daniels
RCI South Africa
Reinsurance Group of America
Richard Lindes
Roche
Rolf Stephan Nussbaum Foundation
Rothko
Rupert Education Foundation
Scott Bader
Shannon Kruyt
Shereen La Fleur
Shoprite Holdings
Smollan
Specsavers
STAT Books
Steltix
Stephen Ross
Stewart Van Graan
Supergroup
Telviva
The Shaughnessy Family Foundation
Tri Marine Acceptances
Tsebo Group
Two Oceans Marathon Initiative
Uthando SA
Wayne Hull
Wescape Charters & Tours
Western Cape Education Department
Note: Represents donations greater than R5 000 in 2021.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Want to help but don’t know how? See some of the ways you can support us in breaking the cycle of poverty.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Make a monetary gift to Christel House SA. 100% of your contribution benefits our students as all our overhead costs are covered. Donations are tax deductible and eligible for BEE points as 100% of our beneficiaries are Black. To donate, visit: sa.christelhouse.org/ donate/
FELLOWSHIPS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Sponsor the cost of one student’s schooling. Become a Christel House Fellow by supporting the student from Grade RR to Grade 12.
VOLUNTEER
Help feed our children, coach sport or read in the library. Your time and skills help develop our students and grow new talents.
INTERNSHIPS & JOB PLACEMENTS
Help connect our graduates to companies for internship and job opportunities.
IN-KIND DONATIONS
We provide our students with everything they need to learn, including books, stationery, uniforms and more. View our Wish List to see how you can help: sa.christelhouse.org/ about-us/ways-to-getinvolved
OVERSEAS?
Christel House is also a registered charity in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Mexico and Jamaica — so please get in touch with us to assist you in making an international donation to Christel House SA.
